Tripod improvement



Feb. 29, 1944. E. L. FISCHER TRIPOD IMPROVEMENT Filed Sept. 11, 1941 O z W Patented Feb. 29, 1944 TRIPOD IMPROVEMENT Edwin L. Fischer, Glendale, Calif., assignor to General Aniline & Film Corporation, vNew York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 11, 1941, Serial No. 410,363

Claims.

This invention relates to a tripod head adapter. It is well known that most cameras on the market are provided with a threaded recess` whereby they may be mounted upon a tripod by engaging a threaded shaft in the tripot head. It is also well known that such recesses in the various makes and models of cameras difier in diameter, depth and type of thread used. The principal object of this invention is the provision of a tripod head adapter which wi-ll compensate for these variations thereby eliminating the many disadvantages caused by such lack of standardization.

Other important features of this invention lie in the simplicity of the head adapter both from -the standpoint of its manufacture and application, and further, due to such simplicity, the relatively low cost of production.

While the invention is described as being used in connection with cameras and tripods it will be understood that the possibilities for the use of the same are unlimited. It is obvious that the f Figure 3 is a sectional side view of the adapter assembled in inverted position upon a tripod head, and

Figure 4 is a side view of the tripod head shown partly in cross section.

Figure 5 is a view of a modified embodiment of the adapter and tripod head.

body member being of substantially inverted bell Shape, the skirt IB of which is peripherally beaded or flanged as indicated at ll. The method of securing the head to the base of the shaft Ill may be by any of the well known expedients such as by providing the Centrally disposed aperture IB in the head |5 with corresponding threads for engagement with the shaft, or by shrinking the head uponthe shaft, or, if preferred, the aperture |8 may be slightly larger in diameter than the base of the shaft thereby permitting its entire removal therefrom when desired. In the latter case, the head when in use will be retained upon the shaft by the adapter and/or camera when the assembly is complete, as will hereinafter be made apparent.

Referring next to Figure 1 of the drawing, the adapter of a substantially disc or plate-like shape generally indicated by the number |9, may be cast, stamped, maohined or otherwise formed from any suitable material. Centrally disposed and an integral part of the adapter is a lug 20 having a threaded bore 2| of corresponding size and type respectively to accommodate the threaded shaft M projecting through the'head |5. The lug 20 is externally threaded as shown at 22, such threads being of a. contrasting size and type to the thread shaft |4 and adapted to engage a correspondingly threaded aperture in a camera of different model or make than the one for which the threaded shaft may be applicable.

Upon reference to the drawing it will be seen that the lug 20 projects from the surface of the disc like body of the adapter a distance equal to head whereby the ends of the shaft and the lug Referring first to Flgure 2 of the drawing,

the invention is illustrated as assembled upon a tripod vhaving legs IO and a universal consisting are flush with each other when in the assembled relation as shown in Figure 2. Further,-when the adapter is inverted with respect to the head, as illustrated in Figure 3, the lugrests upon the inner surface of the head adjacent the universal there'by contributing to the rigidity of the respective parts when assembled in such position. Contri'buting also to the rigidity of the assembly are the circumferential fianges or beads 23 and 24 provided respectively upon the opposite sides of the disc like adapter. When assembled the beads 23 and 24 contact respectively the bead l'l of the head |5 and the surface of the platform or body of the camera thus providing a firm foundation for the adapter and the camera.

In Figure 5, is shown another modification of the invention which will accommodate three different camera sockets. In this case, the tripod head 25 is provided with a projecting externally threaded screw 2B. This screw Will engage a camera socket of relatively large diameter. Screw 28 ist centrally recessed and internally threaded, as at 21. This threaded recess or socket can be engaged by either of two proiecting screws 29 and 30 on an adapter 28. `Screws 29 land 30 are of the same diameter and thread, but

differ in length. Thus the tripod and adapter combination can be selectively engaged with any one of three diflerent camera sockets. i. e., a socket of large diameter, a long socket of smaller diameter, or a short socket of the same small diameter.

From the drawing and the foregoing description of the invention it will be understood that by proper use of the same the heretofore existing handicap imposed by lack of standardization in size and type of threaded apertures provided in the various makes and models of cameras may be overcome. For example, assuming that the shaft ll is one-fourth of an inch in diameter and has twenty threads to the inch, by omitting the adapter I! from the assembly, as in Figure 4, a camera having a comparatively deep aperture of the same diameter and type of thread as the shaft ll may be accommodated. If, on the other hand, the camera is provided with a comparatively shallow aperture one-fcurth of an inch in diameter and having twenty threads to the inch the adapter i! is used in the assembly in the inverted position as shown in Figure 3. If the camera is provided with a larger aperture, for instance three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and having sixteen threads to the inch, the adapter is used with the lug uppermost as iilustrated in Figures 1 and 2, it being understood that the lug is of the same external diameter and has corresponding extemal threads.

While two possible tripod head and adapter combinations have been shown. and while other forms may be apparent to those skilled in the art, the combination of Figures 1 to 4 represents.

the preferred form of the invention and has certain obvious advantages over such other arrangements.

It will be understood that certain embodiments of this invention are herein shown and described and that changes may be made in the shape, dimension and details of'the various parts, in so far as they are suitable, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, in combination with a tripod, a head comprising a threaded shaft attached to said tripod, a body member consisting of a beaded skirt and a base having a central aperture through which the threaded shaft' projects extending beyond the plane of said bead and an adapter vcomprising a disc having an annular flange and a centrally disposed lug integral with said disc and having a threaded aperture of corresponding dimension and threadsas said shaft and being provided with a contrasting extemal thread. f

2. Ina device of the character described, in combination with a tripod for cameras having threaded apertures of varied dimensions and type, a head comprising a threaded shaft attached to the tripod, a body member consisting of a beaded skirt and a base having a centrally disposed aperture through which `said threaded shaft projects extending beyond the plane of said bead for engagement with said camera aperture of corresponding dimension and thread, and an adapter comprising a fianged disc,V a lug integral therewith and having a central bore of corresponding dimension and threads to said shaft, the outer dimension of the lug being greater and provided with a' contrasting thread. said adapter being operable with said head for engaging camera apertures of varied dimensions and threads.

3. In a device of the character described, in combination with a tripod for cameras having threaded apertures of varied dimensions and type. a headcomprising a threaded shaft attached to said tripod, a body member consisting of la base and a skirt having a bead disposed about the outer periphery thereof. said base having a central aperture through which said threaded shaft projects extending beyond the plane of said bead to furnish engaging means for a camera having a threaded aperture of one dimensions and type, and an adapter comprising a disc, annular fianges provided on the opposite sides of the disc at the outer periphery thereof and a centrally disposed lug integral with said disc and having a threaded bore of corresponding dimensions and threads for engagement with the shaft and being provided witha contrasting externai thread, said adapter being operable in one position with respect tosaid head to furnish engaging means for a threaded camera aperture of a second dimension and type different from that engageable by said shaft and operable in an inverted position with respect to' said head to furnish engagingmeans for a threaded camera aperture of a different depth than that engageable by said shaft without said adapter.

4. A tripod including a head, a screw of given size projecting from said head, said head having a recessed portion around the base of said screw, and a removable and reversibie adapter threaded on said screw and having on one face a proiecting lug, said lug being externally threaded and forming a second screw of diflerent size when said adapter is threaded on said first screw with said lug outermost, said lug being accommodated by said recessed portion when the adapter is reversed whereby said adapter, when so reversed. shortens the effective length of said first screw.

5. A tripod including a head, a screw of given size proiecting from said head. said head having a recessed portion around the base of said screw, and a removable and reversibie adapter threaded on said screw and having on one face a projecting intemally threaded lug also fltting said screw, said lug being externally threaded and forming a second screw of different size when said adapter is threaded on said first screw with said lug outermost, said lug being accommodated by said recessed portion when the adapter is reversed whereby said adapter, when so reversed, shortens the effective length of said first screw.

EDWIN L. FISCHER. 

